Research Support Specialist

   

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all.  Cornell Core values  

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.    

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell.  These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success .

Department Background

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy, and environmental resources; and social, physical, and economic well-being.

 

Unique among peer institutions in the United States, the breadth of disciplinary expertise in the Department of Natural Resources—from ethics and social sciences to conservation genetics and applied ecology—creates a stimulating multi-disciplinary atmosphere for students, staff, faculty and visiting scholars. Furthermore, the Department of Natural Resources is exceptional in its strong collaborative ties across Cornell, other universities, governmental agencies, and leading environmental and conservation organizations. Consistently ranked among the top college environmental programs in the nation, we contribute creative and impactful science and education to address many of the urgent environmental issues of the 21st century. We provide essential information to communities, conservation and environmental professionals, and policy makers, as well as educators and researchers worldwide.

 

The Blossey lab group, who also hosts the New York Invasive Species Research Institute (NYISRI) is housed in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. The Blossey lab conducts work on development of biological control of invasive plants, assessment of impacts on introduced species and deer on native ecosystems, and development of long-term monitoring programs. NYISRI's mission includes research about invasive species impacts, development of control methods and coordination of invasive species research to meet the needs of New York State. The main function of NYISRI is the strategic development and increase of invasive species research capacity in New York State. The Research Support Specialist will support the Director of NYISRI and PI in in coordinating and managing different programs advancing the work of the Blossey lab and the NYISRI.

 

This position receives limited supervision from campus and the incumbent needs to be self-directed, responsible, and capable of good judgment in a variety of routine and non-routine situations. 

This is a one-year term appointment with possible extension depending on performance and funding.

Rewards And Benefits

Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and great benefits …More on Cornell Benefits

Position Summary

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

The Research Support Specialist will be assisting in project development, facilitation and coordination of research, help develop outreach and training workshops, brochures, information sheets, and technical reports.  Furthermore, the Research Support Specialist will contribute to ecological and social science research by assisting in development of ecological experiments, stakeholder surveys, as well as overseeing student and temporary workers, and contributing to data collection, analyses, and publication of scientific papers. An important aspect of the work will be development of weed biocontrol programs, maintaining insect rearing colonies in quarantine and the development of insect mass rearing techniques.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members. 
• Bachelor’s degree and 2 to 4 years relevant experience or equivalent combination and education.  Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and written and verbal communications skills are essential.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and willingness to participate in workshops and conferences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds including members of rural communities.
• Must be comfortable with multitasking and adapt to competing priorities.
• Must be able to work both independently and collaboratively to support the efforts of the overall projects to accomplish required tasks and achieve departmental objectives while creating a high quality and respectful work environment.
• Must demonstrate attention to detail and ability to adapt and improve processes.
• Experience with computer applications including MS Word and Excel, Adobe Acrobat, Power point, Wordpress platform e-mail, and web browsers.
• Experience in weed biocontrol program development, insect identification, insect rearing and insect mass production.
• Ability to interpret and summarize scientific research publications.
• Must possess sound judgment, excellent reasoning and decision-making skills, meticulous record keeping and ability to work with diverse personalities.
• Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy with a wide range of internal and external constituencies is necessary.
• Must have demonstrated ability to handle sensitive/confidential material in a professional manner.
• Strong attention to detail required.
• Must exercise sound and ethical judgment when acting on behalf of the University.
• Plan for and maintain scientific collections of insects or plants (live or in herbaria)
• Ability to conduct data analyses and data visualization of ecological experiments.
• Must possess and maintain valid driver’s license and undergo successful driving background check.
• Occasional travel required.
• A solid understanding of laboratory safety protocols and procedures necessary
• Must be able to comfortably lift up to 20 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

MS Degree with 5 years+ of experience and/or training in invasive species research and weed biocontrol programs.

Application Procedure:

Interested parties should submit a resume and cover letter describing qualifications online at https://hr.cornell.edu/jobs . When applying through our system, please remember to attach your resume and cover letter in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. In the experience section of your application, use the "Drop Files Here" box to manually drag document(s) into your application. For a more detailed description and instructions on how to apply online, please click here.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

   

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information .

  

University Job Title:

Research Support Spec I

Job Family:

Academic Support

Level:

E

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Pay Range:

$58,660.00 - $62,270.00

Remote Option Availability:

Fully Onsite

Company:

Contract College

Contact Name:

Bert Whalen

Job Titles and Pay Ranges:

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience

• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

• Unique applicable skills

• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see Career Navigator .

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates .

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For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email [email protected] .

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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.

2024-04-15